[MacDV] Party Video

[Jim Asherman]

On Saturday, May 3, 2003, at 12:24  PM, DBAFeldman at aol.com wrote:

>
> I could use some suggestions.
>
> My son has been asked to video a Bar Mizvah reception of about 250 
> people
> with dinner, dancing and DJ. It will be in a ballroom with generally 
> dimmed
> lighting and they will have some sort of light and sound system for the 
> DJ.
> He plans to use a Sony TRV900 with a Canon consumer camcorder as a back 
> up.
> He is well known for his creatively edited videos(documentaries, school
> events and projects) in iMovie and Premiere, but they are quite 
> different
> than a party.
>
> The questions:
> 1. What microphones would be recommended? I assume it should be 
> wireless. He
> is planning on getting individuals comments on tape. Maybe an antecdotal
> story or two. And there are the speeches or toasts to consider. Should 
> he
> have a lapel type and a hand held?

A lapel wireless is handy, for the comments though, you can get a $10 
magnavox mic at KMart and a radio shack adapter and it works fine.

>
> 2. What kind of light should he have? Would one of the basic Sony 
> lights be
> sufficient?

Room dependent, Time of day dependent,  That said the Sony on camera 
light can save yer butt. I use one. It balances well.
>
> 3. Is a tripod on a dolly important?

If shooting the Temple. a tripod can help. Find out beforehand what is 
allowed.
In some temples you stand in a partitioned area and shoot through a hole 
in the wall. In some from the back. I have shot them from the seats. 
Tripod can help, but too much dollying at the temple is not good. If the 
PARTY is in a large room a tripod and doilly can be good, but just a 
tripod is boring except for the cake ceremony which can be quite long.
Except for the candle cake deal a 900 is easy to shoot handheld with.



>
> Cost is a consideration, but the equipment can probably be useful in the
> future. It is not a real tight budget. Would renting make more sense? 
> That
> is, if we can find equipment to rent in the greater Detroit area.
The last time I rented a dolly it cost me $75.
I bought one the next time.

>
> Your suggeations are appreciated, thanks in advance.
>
> Jamie
>
>